Calgary sits where the prairies meet the foothills, with the Rocky Mountains on the western horizon and two rivers winding through the middle of town.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
Late June to September for warm days, or July for the Stampede.
How long
Two to three days in the city, more if you add Banff.
Getting there
Fly into Calgary International Airport and ride the 300 bus downtown.
Why visit Calgary
Calgary is Alberta's largest city and a younger, more relaxed place than its skyline suggests.
It is also a city with a strong sense of identity. The Stampede, the Olympic legacy of 1988 and a growing food scene all give visitors reasons to linger before heading west into the mountains.
Downtown and East Village
Calgary Tower
The Calgary Tower rises about 190 metres above downtown and was built to celebrate Canada's centennial in the 1960s. Its observation level gives a clear view of the skyline, the rivers and, on a bright day, the Rockies.
Stephen Avenue
Stephen Avenue is the pedestrian stretch of 8 Avenue SW, lined with restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops. It is closed to most traffic by day, so it works well for a relaxed walk and a coffee stop.
Studio Bell
Studio Bell is the home of the National Music Centre in East Village. The building is worth a look from the street, and inside you can explore instruments, recording history and live performance spaces.
Calgary Central Library
The Central Library opened in 2018 and is one of the most striking public buildings in the city. You do not need a card to wander through its four storeys of light-filled reading spaces.
Fort Calgary
Fort Calgary stands where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, on the site of the North-West Mounted Police outpost built in 1875. It was renamed Fort Calgary the following year.
Along the Bow River
Peace Bridge
The Peace Bridge is a pedestrian and cycling bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava, which opened in 2012. It links downtown and the Bow River pathway with the Sunnyside community on the north bank.
Prince's Island Park
Prince's Island Park lies on an island in the Bow River just north of downtown. It was named after Peter Prince, who founded the Eau Claire lumber mill, and it is a popular place for a picnic, a jog or a quiet bench by the water.
Kensington
Kensington is the neighbourhood around Kensington Road and 10 Street NW, just across the river from downtown. Independent shops, cafes and small theatres make it a good place to wander in the afternoon.
Calgary Zoo
The Calgary Zoo is in Bridgeland, east of downtown, and a large part of it is on St. George's Island in the Bow River. It can be reached by C-Train, by car along Memorial Drive or by the river pathway.
Beyond the core
Heritage Park Historical Village
Heritage Park is one of the largest living history museums in Canada, set on the shore of the Glenmore Reservoir. Its exhibits cover western Canadian life from the 1860s to the 1950s, with historic buildings moved here from around the region.
WinSport and the Olympic legacy
WinSport looks after the facilities built for the 1988 Winter Olympics, and the former Olympic park on the west side of the city is still used for training and recreation. Check the current activities online, as the offerings change with the season.
Planning a trip to Calgary?Compare hotels, flights and vacation rentals for Calgary on Expedia.Book now
Food and local flavors
Calgary is cattle country, so Alberta beef is the obvious thing to try, whether in a steakhouse or a neighbourhood grill.
For a drink, order a Caesar, the Canadian cocktail made with vodka, Clamato, hot sauce and Worcestershire, served in a celery-salted glass.
Stephen Avenue is the easiest place to compare restaurants, while Kensington and Inglewood suit a slower afternoon of cafes and small bakeries. During the Stampede, look for the pancake breakfasts that pop up across the city.
Popular dishes to try in Calgary
Where to stay
Downtown puts you within walking distance of Stephen Avenue, the Calgary Tower and the free-fare C-Train zone on 7 Avenue, which suits first-time visitors and business travellers. Expect it to be busy on weekdays and quieter in the evenings.
East Village is the best choice if you want modern buildings, riverside paths, Studio Bell and the Central Library on your doorstep.
If you plan to drive, ask whether parking is included, since downtown parking is limited and costly.
Where to stay in Calgary
Best time to visit
Summer is the easiest season, with sunny, mild days and cool nights. July brings the Calgary Stampede, a ten day rodeo and festival that draws over a million visitors, so book accommodation well ahead and expect crowds.
Winters can be very cold, but chinook winds bring sudden warm spells, and the city is among the sunniest in Canada.
Getting there and getting around
Calgary International Airport (YYC) has flights across Canada and to the United States, Europe and beyond. Flights to the United States clear American customs at the airport, so allow extra time when departing.
Within the city, the two C-Train lines, Red and Blue, both run along 7 Avenue downtown, and the stretch there is free to ride.
For day trips, buses connect the airport and downtown with Canmore and Banff, and Highway 1 leads west to the mountains. Downtown streets are mostly one-way, and 7 Avenue is for transit only.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Start at the Calgary Tower, stroll Stephen Avenue, then visit Studio Bell and the Central Library.
Second day
Cross the Peace Bridge, walk through Prince's Island Park and browse Kensington.
Third day
Devote the day to Heritage Park, or head west for the Olympic legacy at WinSport. If time remains, continue towards Canmore and Banff.
Practical tips
- Pack sunglasses even in winter, because Calgary is very sunny and snow reflects the light.
- Dress in layers, as the temperature can swing sharply within a day.
- Learn the quadrant system, because every address ends in NW, NE, SW or SE.
- Use the free C-Train zone on 7 Avenue to hop between downtown sights.
- Book rooms and Stampede events early if you travel in July.
